Bridle-bit.



PATBNTED MAY 22, 1906.

P. H. FLYNN.

BRIDLE BIT.

APPLICATION FILED sBPT.a.19o4.

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PATENTED MAY 22, 1906. P. H. FLYNN. l

BRIDLE BIT.

APPLICATION FILED sEPT.,19o4.

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WITNESSES: aM/1%@ W M.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Speccation of Letters Patent.

Patented MayV 22, 1906.

Application nea september s, 1904. serai No. 223.685.

Beit known that I, PETER HARVEY FLYNN, a Acitizen of the United States, residing at New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridle-Bits, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in bridle-bits whereby I am able to control horses without exerting pressure on the lower jaw and the tongue ofthe animals mouth.

Many appliances for driving horses have been heretofore devised, such devices acting commonly by direct bit-pressure on4 the tongue and gums of the lower jaw, while others employ curb straps or chains passing under the jaw, and still others are designed to 1cut off the wind by pressure on the nostri s.

The first-named class of devices are in common use; but they are open to the serious objection of pressing the tongue back into the mouth or into the lower jaw, and thus suppressing the blood circulation, so that the lower jaw becomes numb and in the course of time the mouth becomes insensitive to the action of the bit, animals-of this class being known by the term dead mouth.

In the present invention I aim to overcome the practical objections that have been urged against prior devices of ordinary forms of bridle-bits.

My controller involves a new principle in the control or management of horses, because it contemplates the provision of a device whereby pressure may be applied on the upper or lower aw in such a manner as to reduce fractious and runaway horses to the absolute control of the driver and by reducing the pull on the lines at least eighty per cent. My new controller may be used to good advantage in any and all kinds of bridles without an overdraw or a check-bit and in conjunction with any style of ointed bit, and it absolutely does not interfere with the wind or sp eed or the gait of the horse, besides being humane.

In my new device the prime feature is a controller having means for exerting pressure on the nerves and muscles of the horses nose or lower jaw. It should be borne in mind that the nerves in the upper jaw are known as the superior maxillary7 nerves, while those in the lower jaw are the Hinferior maxillary nerves. Therefore the broad feature of the invention resides in a controller member adapted for application externally to the nose or lower jaw and to exert ressure either on the superior or the in erior maxillary nerves and the adjoining muscles; but in the commercial form of my device I construct the controller member for action externally on the superior maxillary nerves and the muscles of the upper jaw.

Another part of my invention relates to the construction of the controller in a way to adapt it for adjustment to fit horses heads of different sizes in order that the pressure-surfaces of the controller may be brought to bear on the nerves and muscles in a proper manner. In attaining this end the controller consists of terminal members or links and an elastic nose-band, said members being provided with pressure-blocks. The members or links and the band are connected adjustably in order that the angle of the band to the terminal members may be changed, and the band itself is arched, so as to avoid closing the air-passages in the nose, thereby enabling the band to act on the solid bone of the nose. The terminalmembers are so related to the bit and to the sides of the jaw as to bring the pressure-blocks into positions for action on the muscles and nerves. In one form of construction two pressure-blocks are used on each terminal member or link, but, if desired, a single or continuous block may be used; but in either event the pressure block or blocks are adapted for adjustment back and forth on the link or member, so that the block can be moved to and held in a position proper for exerting pressure on the nerves and muscles of the jaw.

The controller is connected operatively with a usual form of jointed bit, the end portions of which fit loosely in slots or openings provided in skeleton-shaped terminal members or links of the controller. Normally the spring nose-band has a tendency to force the terminal members or links away from the jaw, so` that the pressure-surfaces or the blocks will not exert pressure; but a pull on the bit by the reins operates to compress the nose-band, and thus draw the terminal members toward each other, thereby making the ICO blocks exert pressure on the nerves and muscles of the jaw.

In further carrying my invention into practice I provide the terminal members or links with pressure-surfaces which are arranged to act on the inferior maxillary nerves or those of the lower jaw.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the subjoined description, and the actual scope of the invention will be defined by the annexed claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiicar 5- used to indicate corresponding parts in all tion, in which like characters of reference are the iigures of the drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating my improved controller in connection with a jointed driving or riding bit and a bridle, the

parts being shown in an applied position and the casing for the bowed spring being omitted. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the controller disconnected from the bridle and the bit, the casing for the spring being omitted. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of one of the nerve-pressure members or blocks. Fig. 4 is a detail cross-section taken in the plane indicated by the dotted line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustratin another form of controller applied to a brid e'and shown in position on a horses head. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the controller of Fig. 5 detached from the bridle. Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-section on the line 7- 7 of Fig. 6, illustrating the construction of another form of nerve-pressure member or block. Fig. 8 is a view of another form of connection between the nose-band and a terminal member or link. j

I will iirst proceed to describe the improved controller represented by Figs. l to 4, inclusive, of the drawings, wherein A designates the controller in its entirety. As shown, this controller consists of three parts or members B, C, and D, the member B constituting a nose-band and the members C D forming the terminal members or links and adapted for connection operatively with a jointed driving-bit, the latter being indicated at E. The nose-band B is made in the form of a bowed spring which is arched to it around the nose of the horse without obstructing the air-passages, this spring being conveniently made from a piece of flat metal of the appropriate length and width, said metal being bent to the required form and tempered.

One of the important features of my invention consists in an adjustable connection between the end portions of the nose-band B and the terminal members or links C D, whereby the angular position of the noseband B with relation to the terminal links may be chan ed to adapt the nose-band to rest on the so id bone of' horses heads which may vary in size. In carrying this part of my invention into practice I provide each terminal member or link C D with a recessed front portion. (Shown more clearly by Figs. 2 and 4.) This recessed end of' each terminal link produces a shoulder 5 and an ear 6, said ear being tapered or reduced in thickness from the shoulder toward the free end thereof. One end portion of the nose-band B is arranged to overlap a tapered ear 6 of each terminal link, and the end edge of said noseband is disposed quite close to the shoulder 5, a limited space being provided between said shoulder and the end edge of the band to allow the latter to be adjusted to different angular positions, in some of which the edge of the nose-band may have engagement with the shoulder for the latter to limit the movement of the nose-band.

The link and the nose-band are connected pivotally in a permanent manner by a rivet or its equivalent 7, the same passing through the ear 6 of the terminal link and an end portionof said band. This construction connects the two links and the nose-band together in a way to produce a controller, the

parts of which are permanently connected, so that the band may be adjusted relatively to the links, but I rind it necessary to provide means for holding the band in either of its several adjusted positions, thus preventing accidental displacement of the parts. Apreferred means for confining the band in its adjusted positions consists in the employment of clamping-screws 8, each of which is passed through an arcuate slot 9 and is threaded into an opening in the ear 6 of the terminal link, one of said slots 9 being provided in each end portion of the nose-band. It will be seen that the slots 9 are concentric with the pivots 7 and that the screws 8 are mounted in the terminal links in positions for the heads of said screws to bind on the slotted end portions of the nose-band. By relaxing the screws the nose-band B may be turned on the pivots 7 to the required positions relative to the terminal links, after which the screws should be tightened to clamp the parts one to the other and maintain said band in its adjusted position. The employment of tapered ears 6 reduces the metal to a thin edge, and the band is covered by a sheath or casing F, of leather or other suitable material, the end portions of which sheath are extended to cover the adjustable and pivotal connections between the links and the band. The described construction of the ears reduces the rictional rubbing or engagement of the links with the casing F, thus minimizing wear on the leather casing.

To connect the controller with the driving- IOO IIO

bit E, I prefer to 'make the terminal members C D of skeleton form, said skeletonized members resembling open links and being adapted for the reception of the end portions of the saines The links or terminal members C D are ta- 'horses heads of different sizes.

pered or wedge-shaped, and on arms of each terminal member or link are provided pressure-blocks, which are adapted for the application of pressure to the maxillary nerves of the horses nose.

In the form of construction represented by Figs. 1, 2, and 3 each terminal member or link C D is provided with two pressureblocks, those on the link C being indicated at G G, while the pressure-blocks on the link D are indicated at H I-I. Each pressure-block is provided with a convex inner face in order to bear on the jaw without hurting the muscles and at the same time exert the required pressure on the nerve.

The particular form of the pressure-block and the mode of attaching it to the terminal member is not material; but I prefer to attach each pressure-block adjustably to a terminal member in order that the pressureblock may be shifted back and forth to different positions on the terminal member, whereby a controller of a standard or given size may have its parts adjusted for use on The adjusted pressure-surfaces are especially important, because such surfaces can be brought to bear properly on the nerves of the horses head. As shown, the pressure-blocks Gr G H H are attached adjustably to the parts of the links, and in one form of construction, such as shown by Fig. 3, each block is provided with a channel or groove 10, which is in one side thereof, whereby the pressure-block may easily be slipped over a bar of the skeletonized terminal member. As a means for holding the pressure-block in place I employ a binding-screw 11, which works in a tapped opening of the block and is adapted for engagement with a part of the terminal member, said binding-screw having its head arranged. close to or flush with an exposed face of the pressure-block. It is evident that the blocks may be shifted individually lengthwise of the terminal links, and said blocks may be held firmly in their adjusted positions by tightening the screws against said links.

The skeleton form of the terminal members or links enables the end portions of the driving-bit E to be fitted in the links, and thus connect the controller operatively with said bit. The bit is provided, as usual, with the rings e, adapted for connection with the driving-reins E and for the cheek-straps of the bridle I. A pull on one or both of the driving-lines operates the driving-bit, so as to compress the nose-band B and draw the terminal members C D toward each other, thus forcibly pressing the pressure-blocks Gr Gr H H againstl the superior maxillary nerves (the positions of which are indicated at J in Fig. 1) of the horses jaw. By slackening the driving-lines the elastic nose-band B becomes 'active in separating the terminal links to a limited extent, and thereby relaxes the pressure of the blocks upon the nerves.

In Figs. 5, 6, and 7 of the drawings I have represented other forms of controllers which embody the leading features of the invention as heretofore described, said controller being shown by Fig. 5,in connection with the bridle I, which is equipped with the ordinary blinders. In Figs. 1 and 2 the controlleris equipped with pressure members adapted for the application of pressure to the superior maxillary nerves of the upper jaw but the controller shown by Figs. 5 and 6 has its terminal members C D provided with pressuresurfaces which occupy positions for the application of pressure to the inferior maxillary nerves of the lower jaw. The end portions of said links or members C D have pressure members K K', which may be made as integral parts of said links. These pressure members K K are provided at the extreme lower ends of the links either by making said pressure members in one piece with the links or by attaching them thereto. Said pressure members project inwardly from the links, and they have curved inward faces adapted to act on the inferior maxillary nerves without hurting the muscles when the bit is. operated to compress the controller.

Instead of employing separate pressureblocks on the controller-link, said. blocks being individually adjustable on said link, I may employ a single pressure-block on each link, as represented by Figs. 6 and 7. The single pressure-block L consists of two parts 12 13, and this pressure-block is arranged to span the skeletonized link, said pressureblock having a curved inner surface 14C. The parts 12 13 of the pressure-block are fitted to the upper and lower lengths of the skeletonized link, and as this link is tapered longitudinally I find it desirable to adjustably connect said parts 12 13 of the block. The adjustable connection is secured by making the parts 12 13 lap one another, and in one part of said block is a slot 15, which receives the screw 16 of the other part. This screw is adapted to pass through the slot 15 in a way to bind the parts 12 13 adjustably together, whereby the parts of the block may be separated when it is adjusted toward the large end of the link; but by adjusting the block toward the small end of the link said parts 12 13 are drawn together and held in their adjusted positions by tightening the screw 16.

The described construction of the pressure- IOO IOS

block L enables it to be clamped on the parts y link is cast in a single piece, the bars of said link being substantially square in cross-section, as shown by Fig. 2; but I reserve the right t-o make the links by bending round rods or wires to the required form.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings I have shown each link as having a tapering shoulder 17, which is opposed to a notched end 18 of the nose-band, said shoulder projecting into the notch and providing sufficient clearance for the adjustment of the nose-band, although the shoulder serves to limit the movement of the nose-band beyond -its abnormal positions.

In the practical construction of my controller I prefer to arrange the nose-band in a position for its lower edge to lie in the same plane as or flush with the lower edges of the links or terminal members, for the reason that such arrangement tends to make the nose-band rest on the solid bone of the horses nose and assists in bringing the pressure-surfaces into positions for action on the muscles and nerves.v It is to be understood, however, that the angle of the nose-band to the terminal links may be changed as required to make the controller fit horses jaws of different sizes.

The modified construction shown by Fig. 8 of the drawings omits the clamping devices for holding the nose-band in fixed relation to the terminal links, although the adjustable connection between the band and links is retained. In this form of construction each terminal link is forked or slotted at its free end, thus leaving a shoulder which has the double bevel, (shown by Fig. 6,) and in the forked end of the link is fitted the notched end of the nose-band. Each end of the band has a single pivotal connection with one link by a rivet, the notched end of the band being in cooperative relation to the beveled shoulder, so that the latter limits the movement of the band. A nose-strap is attached to this band, as is usual in bridles, and this strap suspends the band and provides for its adjustment as required to make it bear on the solid bone of the nose.

Changes in the form, size, proportions, and minor details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages of my invention. I, therefore, reserve the right to make such modifications as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A controller comprising an elastic noseband, terminal links connected to said noseband, pressure members in separate pieces from the terminal links, and means for holding said pressure members on the terminal links.

2. The combination of a bridle, a bit, an elastic controller connected with the bit so as to be contracted by a compression movement thereof, said controller being supported by the bridle normally in an inclined position relative to the bit, and nerve-pressure members supported by, and adjustable on, the controller and adapted, when the controller is contracted, to exert pressure on the nerves of a horses head.

3. A controller for horses comprising terminal members, nerve-pressure blocks fitted on the terminal members, and means connecting saidj terminal members for adjustment lengthwise thereof. v

4. In a bridle, a controller comprising a nose-band and terminal members, said parts being adjustably and iiXedly connected for the nose-band-to assume different angular positions relative to the terminalmembers.

5. In a bridle, a controller comprising a nose-band, terminal links connected to said nose-band adjustable at different angles thereto, means for holding the links in `fixed relation to said band, said nose-band being elastic and tending to normally separate the links, and nerve-pressure surfaces on said links.

6. In a bridle, a controller comprising a nose-band, terminal members pivoted `thereto and means for clamping the parts adjustably one to the other.

7. In a bridle, a controller having a noseband, a plurality of terminal members, and means for adjustably clamping said. terminal members in different angular vpositions relative to the nose-band, said members having nerve-pressure surfaces.

8. In a bridle, a controller comprising a nose-band, links connected to said band, and pressure members movable on the links to-assume different positions thereon.

9. A controller having an elastic nose-band, and nerve-pressure members adjustable back and forth on the controller, in combination with a bit, and means for holding the controller in a position inclined relative to the bit, whereby the pressure members are adapted to act on the nerves of a horses head back of the nostrils.

l0. In a controller, an elastic nose-band` provided with means for engagement with a bit, and pressure members adjustable back and forth on said controller relative to said nose-band.

11. 'In a controller, a nose-b and, open links adapted for the reception of a bridle-bit, and pressure members carried by and adjustable on the open links.

12. In a controller, an elastic nose-band provided at its ends with open links, and-adjustable pressure members carried by said links.

13. Acontroller comprising anelastic noseband, members attached to the nose-band and adapted for engagement with a bridlebit, pressure-blocks fitted adjustably on ithe IOO IIO

members, and means for clamping the pressurebloeks on said members.

14. In a bridle, a controller comprising a spring nose-band, terminal members on said band, and adjustable pressure members earried by said terminal members.

15. In a bridle, a controller comprising a nose-band, terminal members connected therewith, and pressure members on the terminal members, said pressure members being djustablelengthwise of the terminal memers.

16. In a bridle, a controller comprising a nose-band, terminal members connected adjustably therewith, and pressure-blocks earried by the terminal members, said pressureblocks being adjustable independently ofthe adjustment of the nose-band to the terminal members.

17. In a bridle, a controller comprising terminal members provided with ears and shoulders, a nose-band pivoted to said ears for its ends to engage with the shoulder, and means for clamping the band and the members ad justably together.

18. In a bridle, a controller comprising tapering terminal members, pressure-blocks clamped to said members, and means oonneeting the members.

19. In a bridle, a controller provided at its end portions with nerve-pressure surfaces, and pressure-blocks connected to said eentroller between the pressuresurfaees at the ends thereof.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this speeieation in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PETER HARVEY FLYNN.

Witnesses:

H. I. BERNHARD, JAS. H. GRIFFIN 

